Page 24 of Damnation
Moving away from Edward, I take to my horse across the way. I ready her for the ride as Edward shouts at me from across town.
“So that is it? Thou follows her like a good servant? Is she your master?”
Yes. Master of my heart, of my happiness, of my world. I do not wish to care how that makes me sound. How backwards that may be. I love her, and I will live for her until my dying breath.
I pay no mind to my infuriating brother as I ride in the direction to Ipswich. I cannot take a full breath until I see her once more, until I sort this matter. I have never come upon an issue that money or influence could not resolve. I anticipate this matter to be just the same.
I made the ride to Ipswich in good time. Good enough that as I was arriving, Walcott and Lewis were leaving back to Salem. Both exchanged curious glances with each other before casting their looks my way, but, nevertheless, they rode on.
I jump down to my feet, securing my horse, and step inside the jail. ‘Tis as if I can already feel her presence here. Like the uncertainty inside me settles when I am near her. The jailor looks upon me with irritation.
“What business does thou have?”
“I shall first require you to adjust your tone when you speak to me in such a manner,” I snarl.
The young lad who ought not be older than twenty rights himself but looks to me with unease as I continue.
“My name is Thomas Putnam, I am one of the most prominent members of Salem Village, and I will be treated as such, or it shall be your job, perhaps even your head, if you wish to continue.”
‘Tis arrogant of me to expect such treatment from someone who hath never met me. Perhaps even more so to assume he knows of me, though my reputation appears to not have let me down just yet. At the sound of my name, the young jailor seems to pale and swallow.
“Mr. Putnam, apologies. I did not know.”
“And now you do. Forget your hollow words and listen carefully as I speak. I am here on urgent business. I must speak with one of the accused you have in your custody. Sarah Good.”
He nods, moving to guide me down to the jail cells.
I must admit, I did not think it would be that easy.
When he reaches the end of the cells, I see Sarah sitting upon the dirt covered floor in the corner. Beside her sits Sarah Osborne, though neither gazes upon one another. My love looks to me, hope blooming in her tear filled eyes as the jailor nods to her.
“This be the one, sir?”
“Aye,” I agree as I look down at her, doing my best to mask my desire. “Does thou possess an interrogation room here?”
“No, sir. Not as of yet.”
I purse my lips. I really ought to have wished for privacy, especially from Osborne.
“The nature of which I speak has no business for prying ears,” I say to him, gesturing to Osborne.
She shoots me a dirty look that I barely acknowledge. The jailor nods as he unlocks the door and steps inside, grabbing Osborne’s shackled hands before dragging her to her feet.
“This one could use a bucket of water. Not even in her cell for an hour and already stunk up the place.”
I nod, not giving a damn what he does with her as long as he takes her away. I do not move an inch till I hear the sound of the door shutting before stepping into the cell, dropping to my knees beside Sarah. Her arms embrace me, and I press my lips to her own before I can take my next breath. Finally. Peace. It washes over me like a fresh wave, breathing life into my starved soul. I hold us in place for what feels like eternity, and yet, not at all long enough.
When we break apart, a sadness fills me as I take in the conditions in which she endures.
“Why have you come? Will others not talk?” Sarah asks.
“Allow them to do so. I shall not care for their hollow words. I need only hear the truth in thine.”
She frowns at me and shakes her head.
“What do you speak of?”
I swallow, not wanting to speak my thoughts aloud. Once I do, they are out there for good, and I am too fearful of the answer. I love the woman before me, there be no doubt of that, I also have come to know her well during our courtship. Well, enough to know when there is more to a story, more that she has yet to share, and I fear that is the case.
